For Luke Scolyer, a third-year history student from Burnie on Tasmania's northwest coast, the decision to attend university wasn't straightforward. After taking a couple of years after finishing school to figure out his direction, he eventually found his way to the University of Tasmania, and more importantly, to Jane, where he's discovered both academic success and a genuine sense of belonging.
From Media to History: Academic Support That Makes the Difference
Originally enrolled in media studies, Luke found himself increasingly drawn to his history classes.
“I always liked history throughout high school, where I had some really good teachers, and then the history staff at UTAS just made the experience so enjoyable. I'm now looking at doing honours next year.”
The personalised academic guidance provided at Jane helped smooth what could have been a challenging transition between disciplines. Nick Brodie, Jane's Dean of Academic Studies, became instrumental in Luke's academic journey.
The relationship with Nick extended well beyond that initial degree change. Over his three years at Jane, Luke has maintained a connection with the academic support services. Last year, he took on the position of academic mentor for arts students, a role that allowed him to give back while continuing to learn.
“I find being an academic mentor at Jane quite rewarding. If I were to go into teaching, helping young people learn is something I'd love to do. Even if you're just a small part in their life, you could have a massive impact on them.”
Finding a community that exceeded his expectations
Initially, Luke had planned to live in Hobart’s CBD rather than a residential college. However, friends who had moved into Jane changed his perspective entirely. "I heard all about it, and it sounded like something I'd really enjoy."
What he discovered when he moved in at the start of 2023 exceeded his expectations. "I think the fact that everyone finds their little community. There is obviously one big community, and I was expecting that, but just seeing the sub-communities, I guess you'd call them, seeing the smaller friendship groups form around Jane was really interesting," he says.
As someone who was a bit older than a lot of the other first years and not freshly out of school, Luke had initial concerns about fitting in. Those worries proved unfounded. The residential college environment fostered connections that went far deeper than typical university friendships. "You can really form relationships that you might not have living somewhere else," Luke explains.
From mentee to mentor
Luke's academic journey at Jane illustrates the cyclical nature of support within the college community. After receiving guidance from Nick Brodie in his first year, Luke became an academic mentor for arts students in his second year—a role he describes as "really rewarding."
Working with students across different arts disciplines, from history to English to politics, Luke discovered the common threads that unite seemingly disparate fields. "When you look at it, a lot of it's very similar in how you write your essays, how you analyse a text or something," he notes. This realisation allowed him to find common ground with students across various disciplines while learning about the interconnectedness of arts subjects.
The mentoring experience has also shaped his future aspirations, with two potential pathways ahead: becoming a history teacher or pursuing an academic career in research. The satisfaction he's found in helping others learn has reinforced his interest in education.
The Jane experience: More than just accommodation
What makes Jane special, according to Luke, isn't just the academic support or even the friendships—it's the complete community experience. Living with so many people creates "an experience not a lot of people get," he explains. The daily interactions, shared meals, and collaborative study sessions create bonds that extend far beyond university years.
Luke participated in AFL and soccer teams during his second year, finding that sporting activities reinforced the sense of community. "If you're on that team, you have each other's back," he says. “This mutual support extends across all college activities, whether sports, arts, or creative pursuits.”
For someone considering Jane, Luke's advice is simple but powerful:
"Try new things and put yourself out there. I think Jane offers that in so many different ways. Make sure you get out of your comfort zone a little bit - it can be hard, but it's very, very rewarding."
A Home Away From Home
Three years on, Luke's decision to stay at Jane speaks volumes about the experience.
"It does feel like a home. I know that a lot of people say that, but it really, really does," he emphasises.